Railboad signal-lantern



N. A. MENAAR.

Railroad Signal Lamp.

Patented May '21, 1861.

N. PETERs Phamulnogmp UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE.

I NICHOLAS A. MENAAR, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

RAILROAD SIGNAL-LANTERN.

i Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,377, dated May 21, V1861.

To all whom 'it 'may concern:

Be it known that I,Y NICHOLAS A. MENAAR,

of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie lantern showing a whitelight or a signal lantern showing a red or colored light.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I willproceed to describe its construction and operation. Y

Figure I is an elevation showing the supporting stand or case with aslot therein and the lamp and colored glass (the top or globe part ofthe lantern being disconnected therefrom). Fig. II is a vertical sectionof the same showing more distinctly the springs and their connection tothe metallic base of `the colored glass and the manner in which thesprings press against the supporting stand to support the colored glasswhen the same is raised for a signal. Fig. III is a vertical section ofthe whole lantern all the parts being together and the colored glasscylinder being raised as a signal.

Letters of like name and kind refer to lik parts in each of the figures.

A is a colored glass cylinder. This is of a larger diameter than thelamp and slides over it. l

B is a metallic rim which. supports the colored glass and to which thesprings are attached.

C represents metallic springs. These springs are soldered or otherwisefastened to the metallic base of the colored glass and are bent so as tooccupy the space between the lamp and the supporting case. The springspress against` the supporting case with sufficient force to support thecolored glass at whatever height it may be raised. A thumb piece m. ,isconnected with the spring and projects through the slot D. When theglass is to be raised or lowered a gentle pressure of the thumb andlinger upon these pieces will relieve the pressure of the springsagainst the supporting stand and the glass may be lowered or raised asdesired.

D represents a slot which is made in the supporting stand for thepurpose of admitting the thumb pieces to pass through the saine andconnect with the springs and also to allow of a sufficient verticalmovement of the colored glass to answer all the purposes required.

F is a supporting stand.

E is a lamp.

H is aI globe of white glass..

G represents wire fenders to the globe of white glass.

I is a chimney.

All parts of this lantern may be constructed by persons possessingordinary skill in the art to which it appertains. It is particularlydesigned for conductors and employees on railroads. Its advantage overother lanterns consists. in the remarkable ease and facility with whichit may be changed from one purpose to the other. All the employees on arailroad using these lanterns will at all times have a signal at hand sothat in case of sudden or unexpected danger the signal can be instantlygiven; and when the danger is removed; with as great facility the signalcan be changed and the lantern used for ordinary purposes. The expenseand trouble of eXtra signal lanterns are avoided and greater safetysecured. I design also to use this lantern as a local signal lantern inwhich case I purpose to make the outer glass adioptric lens.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-The specific arrangement of the colored glass cylinder A (the same beingconnected to its metallic bottom B) with the spring O, and slot D, thesaid parts being arranged to operate relatively to each other (and tothe supporting stand, lamp and globe of whie glass) for the purposes asherein set fort i.

NICHOLAS A. MENAAR.

Witnesses:

W. H. FoRBUsH, E. B. FonBUsH.

